Philippines: Blast at Catholic Mass kills several people

An explosion at a Catholic Mass in a university gymnasium in Marawi city in the Philippines killed four people and injured dozens more on Sunday.

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the senseless and most heinous acts perpetrated by foreign terrorists. Extremists who wield violence against the innocent will always be regarded as enemies to our society," said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on social media platform X.

The explosion occurred at Mindanao State University in the Lanao del Sur province in the southern part of the country, the regional police director, Brigadier General Allan Nobleza, told reporters. He added that investigations were still underway, and it was possible that the attack was planned by pro-Islamic State militants.

Classes were suspended and more forces were deployed across the university.

"I condemn the violent bombing incident that transpired this morning. Terroristic attacks on educational institutions must also be condemned because these are places that promote the culture of peace," Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr., said in a statement. 

The Lanao del Sur provincial government's Facebook page showed Governor Mamintal Adiong visiting "wounded victims of the bombing" at a medical facility.

"We unequivocally condemn in the strongest possible terms this senseless and horrific act," Mindanao State University said in a statement on Facebook.